I put in alot of hours trolling the Allegheny R for eyes. I usually always can catch a few, but the big ones can be elusive. I've got a fair amount of 22-29 inchers while trolling.

I will use whatever tactics it takes to put fish in the boat. Probably the most common techniques are trolling with bottom bouncers and flatlining plugs. I oftentimes will run my in-liner or big planers in order to get more lines in the water.

The biggest obstacle in trolling the rivers is the bottom structure and ever changing bottom contours. On the pools that they frequently dredge the depth can go from 10 ft to 40 ft in a heartbeat. That's why it is so hard to just set your lures to a certain depth and go. I normally set my lures to just tick the tops of the humps and go. Not to mention there are tons of snags and debris along the bottom, so it is best to be a foot or two off the bottom.

I've always had better success trolling upriver against the current. It is easier to control your speed and your lures gain some added action. As far as lures, that is always open to opinion. I've had my best success in the past on Rapala Deep Taildancers, Bomber Long A's, and Reef Runners. The best colors for me have always been the more natural patterns such as creek chub, sucker, shad, etc...However a saw a monster 34" incher that a guy caught night trolling inhale a 3" Flourescent Green Wiggle Wart. I think that fish went close to 13 lbs.

pools that they frequently dredge the depth can go from 10 ft to 40 ft in a heartbeat

I know the pools just above and below Kittanning both are like this. They have been dredged for gravel and it has left yawning pits in the river bottom. In fact last year I had to troll around the dredging barge that was working a few miles upstream of Kittanning. Like Lovgren said, it makes it darned difficult to work a depth consistantly. We haven't concentrated a lot for eyes on the river yet, though we did start trying more last year. This year we are figuring to split our time more evenly between eyes and cats depending on what time of day we can get to river.
I have been watching this thread with interest due to our intents. The only other thing I could contribute at this time other than ramp and bottom contour info is that don't be afraid to experiment with technique. Last year we caught an impressive walleye while floating live bluegill under an oversized bobber on a 8ft flat below an island. We NEVER expected that one! But you can bet we are going to be doing some more exploration in the future.
Good luck to all and hopefully we will be able to contribute more info as the season progresses!

I usually fish anywhere from Highland Park to the Point. And 99% of the time I'm wading, so the entire river is only waist-deep to me, lol! Thanks for the info!

ORIGINAL: TastyTrout

ORIGINAL: beerman0303

I usually fish anywhere from Highland Park to the Point. And 99% of the time I'm wading, so the entire river is only waist-deep to me, lol! Thanks for the info!

Watch youself....there's a spot just below the HPB that drops off very quickly and trust me you won't be wading.

Ya I know, thanks. Been wading that area since you could drive right up to the bank facing the dam. And yes, unfortunatley there is only one way to find a drop-off like that.

so i was hopin to fish the mon sometime this weekend but its not lookin to promising with the water level and more rain coming in tomorrow and saturday

ORIGINAL: beerman0303
 And yes, unfortunatley there is only one way to find a drop-off like that.

There are 2 ways, watch your sonar!

This is what the natrona gage says this morning i dont fish anything above 30000 cubic feet per second
 





Gage height, feet






Most recent instantaneous value: 16.23   03-04-2011  08:15 EST


   

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Discharge, cubic feet per second






Most recent instantaneous value: 74,000   03-04-2011  08:15 EST


   

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Daily discharge statistics, in cfs, for Mar 4 based on 71 years of record more


Min
(1968)
25th
percen-
tile
Median
Mean
75th
percen-
tile
Most Recent
Instantaneous
Value Mar 4
Max
(1945)


4720
15700
27300
35000
48600
74000
136000

---

 

yea and with it being there just think we are supposed to get 2 inches of rain this weekend

yeah no doubt, this rain is gonna put a big hurtin on the already high waters, hopin to hit a dhalo creek tomorrow and catch some trout as long as the rain doesnt get bad overnight, if so looks like ill be tying jigs and flies all day tomorrow hahaha

runnin outta time thats gonna be here real soon lol, might have to wait to harvest until may. plenty of oppurtunities though while you are waiting

Tull, depending on where I'm trolling and the recent weather it can be a challenge. More so in the main channels and around creek mouths etc. Places where the current is stronger or changes. It always effects my lures somehow. My smaller cranks tend to get washed away or carried by the current. I'm always adjusting my speed and route to keep them running where I want. Where I'm trolling the pleasure boaters and barge waves can even push my lure or boat to some degree.

The worst is when my lure spirals through the water. It twists the line and can wrap around another line.


  

I've often thought about setting up a tent on one of the islands in the summer time.  This obviously isn't something that will be done when the water levels like they are now.  Does anyone know if this is even legal?  Setup a tent and fish all night...

The island under the turnpike is actually state park (please don't ask why).  There is literally always someone camping on that island from May-Sept.  I don't see any reason why you couldn't.   

Thanks Esox....never knew that was state park.

ya ive always wanted to camp on that island as well. Although a few things have stopped me. Usually there are already so many people on the island that it would feel strange to just set up camp next to em. And i dont really feel comfortable just tying my boat up to the crummy little dock thats there. Also that water gets high FAST! Imagine waking up, finding out you sleept through most of a heavy downpour, only to find the island is starting to flood and your boat is gone haha. Maybe im just paranoid